Chapter 159: To The Last Hearth
Nearby the Last Hearth
POV of Domeric Bolton
A month.
That is how long it took him to gather the 1,000 necessary dragonglass and then turn it into weapons for a thousand men, while also reading Valyrian magical tomes and creating more magical armors for his men.
He had made a breakthrough in the magical armor creation in the past month, which now allowed him to make as many as two magical armors in a day.
If he could find a way to shorten that time further, then he would be able to equip at least half of his army with magical armor by the time Winter arrives.
For now, 50 of the 1000 men that he was leading were wearing his magical armor.
"This is Last Hearth. The Seat of the Umbers." Ygritte told him, remembering things that she had learned in her lessons, "They have a bloody history with the Free Folk, with many of their men killed and their women abducted by the Free Folk that cross the wall now and then."
He had given more attention to her education ever since she became his lover and his wife. A fact that he was trying to hide from others till their marriage ceremony, though, judging by the giggles he hears from his maids now and then, he had a feeling that it was more of an open secret by this point than anything else.
People thought she was just his lover, though.
"What else?" he asked her.
Ygritte scrunched up her eyebrows and said, "They're… loyal to House Stark?"
"Yes. Most of the Northern houses are." He said, "What else?"
"Their sigil is... crossed chains?"
"Four chains linked to a central ring with a dark red background. But you were close enough. House Umber is an ancient house that once ruled as one of the First Men Kings. After many struggles, the Umbers were reduced from royals to vassals of House Stark."
"Just like House Bolton?" she asked.
"Yes. Just like House Bolton, House Flint, the Slates, the Lovkes, the Glovers, the Fishers, and the Ryders. A few of the houses that the Starks defeated have become extinct. They also defeated the Warg King and Marsh Kings. Forcing the Blackwoods to flee down into the riverlands and getting the loyalty of the Reeds.
House Stark also vanquished the Greenwoods, Towers, Ambers, and Frosts. Many of their defeated enemies were forced to yield their women as prizes and brides.
For all that House Stark is now known as good and honorable, they have a history more bloody than any other house in the seven kingdoms, mainly because they're also far older than any other house in the seven kingdoms.
House Stark was an old house before the first Andals even set foot in Westeros."
"You respect House Stark?" she asked.
"Any house that could survive so many wars and emerge victoriously after a thousand-year-old conflict is worthy of respect," he replied, "Now. Back to the Umbers. How many men can they muster?"
"1000-2000?" she guessed.
"About 3000." He said, "Though the figures have changed in the past few years, mainly because some of their people left their lands to come and live in mine in hopes of a better future.
However, considering that I'm also selling them food, clothes, and weapons at a significantly lower price, they should also be able to arm more of their men. So, the numbers could fluctuate a bit either way, but it won't make that great of a difference."
"How is House Bolton's relationship with House Umber?" She asked, and he smiled. It was good that she was asking questions on her own. If she showed no interest in this, then he would consider his education wasted on her.
And no matter how much he may like her, he doesn't want to marry an illiterate woman—something he had already discussed with her.
"About as good as it could be." He told her, "House Bolton has a bad reputation in the North. And my growing power has worried all the lords in the North. The only reason they've not banded against me is that I've shown no ambition like the other lords. The rumors that the Old Gods favor me and the cheap food, weapons, and other resources I sell to the other Northern houses also help a great deal."
"So… neutral?" she asked.
"Yes. And because of how loyal they are to the Starks, you can't be too close to me when we pass by their castle. It won't be good for either my reputation or House Stark's if people suspect that I have a lover when I am betrothed to Sansa Stark."
"You lords and your complicated rules." She said with distaste, and he shrugged.
"It is what it is."
"Alright then. I'll be waiting in my room all alone. You can come to me by using your magical travel thingy when you have the time." She told him, and he shook his head.
"I've to go back to remove the magical residual every night. I'm afraid we won't be having sex for a few days."
Before Ygritte could reply, he felt his mirror vibrate in his pocket.
He picked it up and saw that it was a call from his spy mistress, who had not stopped trying to seduce him even when he had taken Ygritte as his lover.
"What is it, Lyra?" he asked as he picked up the call.
"Have you reached the Last Hearth?" Lyra asked, her face bearing an uncharacteristically serious expression.
"No. We're still a few miles away from their castle." He told her, "Why do you ask?"
"My spies just told me that Lord Umber has been recruiting and training levies for the past few days." She said, "Not only that, but Harrion Karstark was also seen bringing about 200 men to Last Hearth two days ago. I don't know what they're planning. The number of men they've gathered is too small to do anything substantial against your well-trained army of 1000 men. But still, be careful."
"I will." He replied.
"Return safely." She said, lowering the mirror and showing him her tits hidden behind a thin layer of cloth, her nipple clearly visible through the fabric.
He rolled his eyes and put down the mirror before he changed his position on the horse due to the erection he was now sporting.
"You need any help with that?" Ygritte asked while looking at his crotch.
He shook his head, "I'll be fine. But be on your guard. I don't know what the Umbers and Karstarks are planning, but I don't want to get ambushed by them."
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.160: Joint Expedition
Ch.161: Ravens from Other Lords